Dogs are said to be man's best friend - but that does not go without the price tag. New research has found Irish people are spending more than €5m on their pet dogs and cats this festive season.

The findings, from retailer TK Maxx, also show one in ten adults will spend more than one hour shopping for their pets' Christmas gift.

And we are doing more with our free time - as the survey found that the average Irish person now goes six Christmas parties.

It says this is down to the "evolution of the traditional nuclear Irish family" - of extended families, cohabiting parents and civil partnerships - and that we are doing more in order to keep the peace and ensure everyone is happy.

According to the research, gone are the Christmas days of spending hours with the same people and sitting down to one meal, at one house.

It found that people across Ireland are rushing all over the country, cramming in as many visits as possible.

It says Irish people will travel 139 miles to make sure everyone is seen over the festive break, eat a gut-busting five Christmas dinners and buy 32 presents for family and friends - costing €623.

It also found that men spend just over five hours looking for their a gift for that someone special, compared to women who take just over seven hours.